12 held in Setapak over migrant smuggling
Federal Criminal Investigation Department Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Division principal assistant director Senior Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong said the 9pm operation uncovered an attempt to smuggle migrants to Indonesia via unapproved routes.
"The raid resulted in the arrest of 12 people for various offences.
"Four were detained under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, comprising three Indonesian men, aged 29 to 31, and an Indonesian woman, 22. They acted as agents, caretakers of the safehouse and transporters."
He said five suspects were held under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not having valid documents, comprising two Indonesian women, aged 23 and 43, an Indonesian man, 47, and two Bangladeshi men, aged 27 and 41.
"Three were arrested under Section 15(1)(c) of the same act, comprising an Indonesian man and two Bangladeshi men, all aged 29 to 41."
Soffian said the apartment was used as a safehouse for migrants, with agents charging RM1,000 to RM1,700 for their services.
"The group advertised its services on social media and used the premises as a transit point for migrants entering or leaving Malaysia through unapproved routes.
"Transporters take them from the safehouse to the coastal area."
The case is being investigated under Section 26A of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, as well as Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
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